Austria’s airspace is currently unprotected as the Bundesheer’s Eurofighters must remain grounded this weekend. The reason for this is a longstanding shortage of air traffic controllers, confirmed a Bundesheer spokesperson to APA on Sunday, following a report by “Krone.” The few remaining staff members are taking accumulated overtime. Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner (ÖVP) has tasked the General Staff with finding alternative solutions.

These solutions should be implemented immediately “to prevent such a situation from occurring again,” the minister was quoted as saying. The Bundesheer blames the currently Green-led Ministry for Civil Service (BMKÖS), which is responsible for salaries, for the crisis. Many air traffic controllers have moved to Austro Control, which offers better pay.

“The Ministry of Defense has been working on solving the issue of too few air traffic controllers for years. There have been countless discussions with the BMKÖS, which, however, has not recognized or refused to recognize the gravity of the problem,” criticized Chief of the General Staff Rudolf Striedinger in the newspaper.

It is “absolutely essential” that the Ministry for Civil Service cooperates in this matter. The Bundesheer is considering offering bonuses to staff. A similar problem occurred in the 1980s with interceptor pilots—then flying Saab Draken jets—a spokesperson said. The issue was resolved at the time with special contracts, allowing pilots to earn salaries comparable to those of commercial pilots at Austrian Airlines. A similar approach is now needed for air traffic controllers.

It is unclear when exactly further Eurofighter disruptions might occur. “The situation remains precarious,” the ministry stated. They are hopeful for a swift resolution with the Federal Ministry for Arts, Culture, Civil Service, and Sport.